In a statement here, Mr Bikram Majithia said the pilgrims, who were mostly from the Majha region of the State, were unable to return back to Punjab due to cancellation of all trains. He said speedy arrangements should be made to bring the pilgrims back including air lifting them or arranging for special buses to transport them back to the State.

“This is an utmost necessity as the pilgrims as well as their relatives back home are very anxious about their safety”, he said adding he had also requested union minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal to take up this issue with the Union government to ensure there were no bottle necks in the swift repatriation of the pilgrims.

Mr Majithia said keeping in view the extraordinary circumstances and the danger of COVID-19 the pilgrims could be screened before being sent back to Punjab and they could be put in quarantine here also upon their return. “I urge the chief minister to take up this matter with the Maharashtra chief minister and the union government at the earliest”, he added.